A simple and highly effective process for perchlorate removal based on electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) was developed by using polypyrrole (PPy) deposited on high surface area carbon nanotubes. The redox switching of conducting polymers such as polypyrrole is accompanied by the exchange of ions into or out of the polymer. This effect could be used for the development of an electrically switchable ion-exchanger for water purification, particularly for the removal of anions. In the research presented in this paper, the anion-exchange behavior and ion-exchange capacity of electrochemically prepared polypyrrole on glassy carbon electrodes with and without carbon nanotube (CNT) backbones are characterized using cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It has been found that the presence of carbon nanotube backbone results in an improvement in the anion exchange stability of polypyrrole, which may be due to the stronger interaction between carbon nanotubes and polypyrrole. Chronoamperometric studies show that the process of electrically switched anion exchange could be finished within 10 s. The selectivity of PPy/CNTs films for the perchlorate ion is demonstrated using cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the present study point to the possibility of developing a green process for removing ClO4- from wastewater using such a novel nanostructured PPy/CNT composite thin film through an electrically switched anion exchange.

Low dielectric-constant mesoporous silica films were prepared by condensation of a silicate network around surfactant micellar structures. Adherent, porous films 0.5–1.0 μm in thickness, and containing an ordered assemblage of ≈2 nm diameter pores were synthesized by spin-coating water/ethanol-based solutions containing a silica precursor and surfactant template. In this paper, film deposition conditions are described, and film thickness, porosity, refractive index and dielectric constant measured by ellipsometry are presented. Using a coating solution containing tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and a cationic cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) surfactant template, the film porosity and dielectric properties were controlled over a wide range by adjusting the CTAC/TEOS molar ratio. With the CTAC/TEOS ratio between 0.1 and 0.15, the pores were highly ordered in hexagonal arrays after heat treatment at 550 °C. With a CTAC/TEOS ratio of 0.21, films with a pore volume of ≈64% (≈36 vol% silica) could be synthesized. The measured index of refraction for these highly porous films at 500 nm wavelength was 1.16, indicating that these films are potentially useful as low K interlayer dielectrics.

Malvern Insitec-S instruments were used to measure the size distribution and volume concentration of the aerosol. The total spray volume was calculated using differential mass and flow measurements. Measure the pressure and flow in the piping. Met: The pressure and flow in the piping were measured and recorded with a data acquisition system. Characterize the viscosity or rheology, particle size distribution, bulk density, and surface tension of each simulant tested. Met: The simulants tested were characterized prior to testing and in many cases after testing (Chapter 4). Calculate the test chamber volume from internal dimensions. Met: The volume of the test chamber was calculated using the AutoCAD software and as-built measurements. v S.3 Quality Requirements The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Quality Assurance (QA) Program is based on the requirements defined in the DOE Order 414.1D, Quality Assurance, and 10 CFR 830, Energy/Nuclear Safety Management, and Subpart A-Quality Assurance Requirements (a.k.a., the Quality Rule). PNNL has chosen to implement the following consensus standards in a graded approach: